How do you write? Alone, with others, or both?

@cripfemme (7698)
United States
January 27, 2013 6:25pm CST
They say writing is a solitary career, but because I'm a social person by default I love to work with other writers. I especially love this when such efforts raise money for good efforts. For the last four years I've participated in a fundraiser for a local immigrant services organization. I only raise about $35 a year but when you combine that with other poets' fundraising efforts we make about $20,000 collectively. It feels really good use my talent to be a part of something beneficial. I also enjoy working in places like my life where I can see how much my writing is judged as good by my readership in comparison to other writers in the same topic area or geographic area. I get that from both examiner.com and Mylot. I also enjoy working on projects with other people. It makes writing seem less lonely, even if you never meet the other people in your group. The best examples of this I can think of are my new project, Pulitzer Remix (in which poets are creating found poetry using the text of Pulitzer prize winning novels. I am doing this alongside 92 other poets.) and the annual August Postcard Poetry Fest (where you send a poem on a postcard to 30 other poets around the world who you've been assigned to). I've already bought next year's postcards because there was a sale. Lastly, how about the great writing and community experiment that is Mylot. Do you know that almost a quarter million users have participated in the site since it opened? How many people, much less writers, ever have the opportunity to do anything with a quarter million total participants around the globe? I think that as the digital age becomes more advanced writing will become a less solitary endeavor. I'm looking forward to hearing thoughts of my fellow Mylotters.
8 responses
@timetravel (1425)
• United States
30 Jan 13
I belong to a few writer's groups, but I do my writing alone. Just solitary old me. I don't like my writing to be judged against another person's, because my style is unique to me. On the other hand, I appreciate the views I get for my writings. The site I belong to has various writer's groups, and I belong to three of them. My work has gotten almost all positive reviews and comments, and I'm hoping to branch out some day.
• Philippines
28 Jan 13
It depends on what writing or content I would to start writing with. If by inspiration is concerned, I like writing while observing people, places, and most especially art and life. I like writing on some workplace that is more quiet and solemn, it somehow puts me in a mood of generating my thoughts and putting it on paper. I also like writing while listening to music it somehow elevates a good inspiration on putting words in some contents of my written work.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Jan 13
I am a solitary person and I'm a writer. I don't consider myLot writing - I come here to relax, catch up on what my friends are talking about and see what else is going on. When I write, I write alone and I prefer it that way. Just me.
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
28 Jan 13
Whenever I am writing , I rather do it alone . I cant focus on proper writing with others around me . What I do is take a break and chat and gather new ideas from people around me .
• Philippines
28 Jan 13
In terms of ‘official’ writing, I work with others but that’s after the actual writing process. I usually work with clients who serve as my editors. Usually they order batch of articles and my eyes can be deceitful when it comes to my mistakes. So I need them to keep me on my toes. When it comes to writing ‘unofficially’, I also need an audience but I still write alone and conjure my own ideas. Of course, it is always good to have a good feedback or any kind of feedback at all.
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
28 Jan 13
wow.. I was never a writer, but I like this discussion. I am wishing to become one. ohhh noo I wrote some books. LOL. but they were all manuals or procedural steps in computer application software. hahaha but they were published. wheee heee... but other than that. arrgh! i did not.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
28 Jan 13
I have written a few childrens stories here.. I sit in my easy chair all alone. And think and write. Its not a big thing for me. Might be the reason Ive only written 4 or 5 short stories.
@edvc77 (2140)
• Philippines
28 Jan 13
Thanks for sharing this about your experience in writing. I never thought that in writing poems one can raise and have fundraising. It is really good. I also write poems. Most of the time I can write effectively when I am alone and quiet. However, I'm practicing myself as well to write when there are people around. Mylot is a good site and one can interact by writing and discussing topics. I like what you have said about Pulitzer Remix and August Postcard Poetry Fest. Thanks for this and write on!